Google’s New Chrome Canary Beta for Arm64 on Windows
Google has recently released a beta version of Chrome Canary, and it’s a big deal because it fully supports the Arm64 architecture on Windows. This is particularly important for Windows PCs equipped with Arm64 processors.
Addressing a Key Issue
The update aims to tackle a significant issue faced by Windows PCs with Arm64 processors. With this new Chrome version, there’s no need to run Chrome in emulation mode, promising a notable improvement in performance.
Enhanced Performance on Arm64 PCs
The expected outcome of this release is a substantial enhancement in the performance of Chrome on Arm64-based PCs. This improvement eliminates the need for running Chrome in emulation mode, making the overall experience smoother.
Compatibility and Installation
The beta version is designed to be installed on PCs running recent versions of Windows 11 specifically designed for Arm processors. Interestingly, a user has even confirmed successful installation on an older Snapdragon 835 SoC, which is seven years old.
Chrome’s Existing Presence
Chrome has been available on various platforms such as Google’s Chromium for Arm64, Linux for Arm64, iOS, and Mac. Microsoft’s Edge browser, which is based on Chrome, has already been natively running on Arm64 for some time.
Potential Reasons for Delay
The delay in providing native Chrome support for Windows on Arm64 might be linked to the relatively limited number of Arm64 Windows PCs. These devices are also relatively expensive when compared to more budget-friendly Chromebooks.
Anticipation for Snapdragon X Elite Chip
The introduction of native support for Windows on Arm64 could align with the release of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip. This chip, built on TSMC’s latest 4-nanometer technology, is expected to deliver substantial performance improvements over certain 13th-gen Intel Core i7 CPUs while drawing less power.
Impact on Windows Laptops
The potential performance boost offered by the Snapdragon X Elite chip might drive an increased adoption of Windows laptops using Arm64 architecture.
Expected Launch
The Snapdragon X Elite models are anticipated to launch in mid-2024. It is hoped that Google will have a stable version of Chrome ready to fully support these new processors by that time.